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Status of Women Canada

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Women's History Month 2011

Biography of Molly Lamb Bobak

Photo of Molly Lamb Bobak
Photo credit: Library and Archives Canada.

Name: Molly Lamb Bobak
Role: Painter, War Artist and Art Teacher
Canadian Military Contribution: Canada's first and only official woman war artist in the Second World War

Born to an art collector and a naturalist, Molly Lamb Bobak had art and aesthetics in her genes. She studied at the Vancouver School of Art. Her lifelong mentor was renowned artist Jack Shadbolt.

In 1942, Molly joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC). What made her a one-of-a-kind soldier and artist was her appointment in 1945 as an official Canadian war artist – the only woman to date to fulfill that role. Through this assignment, she met her life partner, Bruno Bobak, also a war artist. They married in 1945.

After the war, Molly and Bruno established themselves as Canadian artists and art teachers of note. Their work took them to Ottawa, Vancouver and Paris. In 1960, Molly was studying in Norway when Bruno was offered the position of Artist-in-Residence at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). In 1962, the couple moved to Fredericton, where they still live and work to this day.

Molly has served on several boards, including the National Gallery Advisory Board. She has received honorary degrees from UNB (1983), Mount Allison University (1984) and Saint Thomas University (1994).

Women's History Month - Women and Canada's Military: A Proud Legacy

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Date Modified:
2011-10-03